Hollywood King

Ian and Ben both waited for what Mason was about to say. The happiness on his face said a lot about what type of kid he found.

"I actually forgot about this kid. My friend who also works in the industry as an actress has a kid who is talented and is 8 years old." He said in a single breath. Taking a huge breath in, he continued,

"Perfectly perfect." He completed what he was about to say.

"Why couldn't you tell me before?" Annoyance was clear in Ian's voice.

"Sorry, I literally forgot about her. Been so long since I last met her, she was out of the country for a shooting. Came today and called me after seeing the notice. I think the little boy could do this role." He smiled genuinely.

"Need to audition him first, can you tell them to be here tomorrow? Or I can go meet him?" Ian asked while Mason nodded in return.

It felt like a huge weight got off their shoulders. Although, Ian didn't believe anything until he saw it himself.

"Why do you think he is perfect for the role by the way?" Ian questioned.

"He had done some roles himself, here and there. Also, his mom is very talented. I sure know that the little guy learnt stuff from her. So I genuinely think… he's worth a try." Mason added. Ian nodded in reply, not knowing what to say.

The first time the little boy Adam met Mason, he was taken back by how smart he is. Adam basically had a reply for every conversation they had.

Unlike many kids, who'd just nod, talk gibberish, or say things which might piss off an adult, Adam's discipline was quite outstanding.

"So… what things are you interested in?" Mason had questioned Adam when he had first met him.

They were talking about Adam's hobbies and what he wanted to do in life after growing up. The question popped up randomly but the little kid had excitedly answered it.

"I love movies. Every Sunday, me and my mom will watch a new movie and after growing up, I want to be an actor. Playing all sorts of roles. Won't that be exciting?" He questioned back.

Mason had smiled hearing such an answer. For his age, Adam already seemed to have a good grasp of movies and would even try to know what kind of roles his mother was playing.

Of course, he had other hobbies too but his primary focus was only on movies.

Adam's smartness for his age was beyond comparison with kids at his age group.

Due to all this, he had got some roles in low budget movies and using his smartness, he had played them very well.

Mason would only see Adam once or twice a year when he and his mother would meet up. But because of trying to come up with options in a hurry, he had completely forgotten about Adam.

It was a shame Mason didn't bring up Adam's name when thinking about 'Home Alone'. Not just him, if anyone who worked with this kid heard about how Kevin's character was needed, they would all suggest Adam.

-

Ian parked the car outside Michelle's house. Michelle was Adam's mom, who supposedly is an actress.

Ian came to meet Adam's mother to talk about the role. It would've been easier if Mason joined, but he was busy with handling some other business.

The house was average looking just like all the houses in the same street. Two storeys, with a small garden. It was peaceful.

He knocked on the door twice and waited patiently until someone opened it. His thoughts were arranged on what to say and when to say it. He wished everything would go according to the plan, and Adam should suit the role.

The door was opened by a middle aged woman, with a genuine smile.

"Hey, can I help you?" She asked.

He was still at the doorstep.

"Yeah, actually, I want to meet Adam. Mason must've called you before, I guess?" He returned the politeness.

"Ah, yes! Ian right? Please, come in." Her facial expressions showed how excited she was to have him.

He followed her inside. The house looked old, yet nothing gave it away. It was well maintained.

"Please take a seat, I'll ask Adam to come down,"

There were frames of photos hung in the opposite corner while he took the leather couch to sit.

It was a small living room, but the wooden floor and furniture arrangement seemed like a 'sweet home'. A house where someone can really relax when they get off from work and come home.

"Adam! Someone's here for you!" She shouted.

The little boy, with black hair looking very cute with his boyish grin came jogging down and stood behind his mom.

"Hey, Adam. I'm Ian." Ian extended his hand expecting for him to do the same.

Just like he expected, Adam came forward and shook hands with him.

"Uncle Mason told me about you. We talked for almost thirty minutes,"

"Oh-" Ian didn't expect him to talk this much. In fact, never was there a kid before who had talked this friendly before their guardian in the previous meetups and auditions.

That's the 'basic' training, talk less, show more. Atleast, that's how all the newbie trainers taught the kids in the industry.

"About the script, I meant." Adam said and smiled.

"I see, so… you like it?" Ian asked.

"I loved it!"

"It is actually rare to see such a young man in the industry trying to direct a movie." Adam's mom tried to start a conversation and break the ice.

Ian nodded and smiled without saying anything.

"What was the budget again? One million?" She asked.

"Yeah, at least that's how much we estimated."

"Yeah, it's pretty good for an experimental movie. A good start,"

He didn't try to deny the fact it's experimental. With the current situation of the studio, the last thing Ian would do is create something to experiment on.

"Yeah, let's see."

"Hmm.. when Mason said all this, I actually thought with the right amount of investment, profits can be high with this script. And the genre being comedy, is a plus."

She completed what was in her mind. Ian didn't deny nor accept it, "We hope so, too."

"So, you read the script?" Ian asked turning his entire focus towards the kid.

"Yes, sir. I did." Adam answered politely.

"Call me Ian, and what do you think?"

He smiled slyly in return, "Kevin is smart. Very smart and someone just like me," he answered. His confidence gave a huge impression.

Ian focused his attention on Adam while they started talking about the script. Since Mason had explained about almost everything, it was easy for him to talk about what the character is like.

Ian made Adam talk like one of his previous characters. He was stunned by how good the kid's talents were.

"Woah, that was so good. Can you do another? Maybe something funny?"

The more someone tried, the less funny they were. Ian had that in his mind. Yet, Adam succeeded in making Ian laugh.

The script was already with Adam because Mason sent a copy just as soon as he decided Adam is good for the role.

Knowing that, Ian knew Adam had so many questions about Kevin. Yet he took it slowly. One at a time without trying to frustrate Ian.

More than anything, what Ian knew was… he found the perfect actor for the role. It makes him more happy knowing how excited the kid is to play a character just like him.

"What would you think Kevin would do if he knew his family would leave him alone in 'christmas?"

"He'd be fine with it, I mean… he didn't like his family, now did he?" Adam asked back.

Ian chuckled under his breath knowing the kid sure tried to understand a lot about the character but still had a child-like innocence, which made it even easier.

The audition took a small amount of time like 20-minutes. The rest was just casual talking.

After almost an hour, they both were feeling more than just fine when they knew they achieved exactly what they wanted.

"I think I'll go now," Ian stood up while patting the kid on his head.

Michelle, who was busy with her phone right in the next corner, heard this and walked towards them.

"Oh, are you guys done?"

"Yeah, for today. The real deal starts soon, can we get Adam to be in the studio tomorrow? I want to do some rehearsal and take some photos," he asked.

"Yeah, I'll drop him by, I have shooting around 9. Will it be fine?" She asked.

"Yeah, perfect. See ya tomorrow, bye Adam, Michelle."

He bid them farewell and walked outside while they both followed him out and waved him goodbye.

Ian felt as if a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He finally found his Kevin.

Ian was content.